St Mark's Anglican Church

Transcription

1 St Mark's Anglican Church South Hurstville We at St Mark's aim to grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and to welcome others into an open Christian community where we can experience and explore the reality of God in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust. 30 December 2012 First Sunday after Christmas 8.00am Choral Eucharist Liturgy Holy Communion Prayer Book p 119 Presider Revd Andre Jacobs Preacher: Revd David Warner Leader Alan Little Intercessor: Barbara Ferguson Readings 1 Samuel , 26 Bridget McKern Psalm 148 Said Colossians Lorraine Sweeny Luke Presider Setting Billington Hymns 93; 323; 316; am Prayer Circle Intercessions at the Taizé cross 10.00am Family Communion Liturgy Holy Communion (Red booklet) Preacher: Revd David Warner Presider Revd David Warner Intercessor: Readings 1 Samuel , 26 John Kennedy Luke Presider Hymns (323); 93; Children s Song 467; 323; 609. Reflection In today s reading, Paul in the epistle to the Colossians presents to us the virtues that every child of God must put on in order to be an effective Christian. Christians are urged to embrace love, peace, have a forgiving spirit, admonish one another with all wisdom and live a life of thanksgiving. Today s question: How can I be an effective and exemplary Christian among fellow believers and beyond? Text: The Ven. Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, Archdeacon for the Southern Archdeaconry, Diocese of Lusaka, Zambia Anglican Board of Mission, 2012 Light a candle All are welcome to light a candle, symbolic of prayer, at the Taizé cross. 1

2 Morning tea All welcome to morning tea in St Mark's Hall after each service. Acknowledgement We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we stand, the Bidiagal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present and commit ourselves to building more just ways of living together. Prayer of the Day God of community, whose call is more insistent than ties of family or blood; may we so respect and love those whose lives are linked with ours that we fail not in loyalty to you, but make choices according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sit Psalm Praise the Lord, praise the / Lord from / heaven: O / praise him / in the / heights. 2 Praise him / all his / angels: O / praise him / all his / host. 3 Praise him / sun and / moon: praise him / all you / stars of / light. 4 Praise him you / highest / heaven: and you waters that / are a/bove the / heavens. 5 Let them praise the / name of the / Lord: for he com/manded and / they were / made. 6 He established them for / ever and / ever: he made an ordinance which / shall not / pass a/way. 7 O praise the / Lord from the / earth: praise him you sea-/monsters and / all / deeps; 8 Fire and hail / mist and / snow: and storm-wind ful/filling / his com/mand; 9 Mountains and / all / hills: fruit / trees and / all / cedars; 10 Beasts of the wild and / all / cattle: creeping / things and / winged / birds; 11 Kings of the earth and / all / peoples: princes and all / rulers / of the / world; 12 Young / men and / maidens: old / folk and / children to/gether. 13 Let them praise the / name of the / Lord: for / his name a/lone is ex/alted. 14 His glory is above / earth and / heaven: and he has lifted / high the / horn of his / people. 15 Therefore he is the praise of / all his / servants: of the children of Israel, a people that is near him./ Praise /- the / Lord. 2

3 Glory to the Father and / to the / Son: and / to the / Holy / Spirit; as it was in the be/ginning is / now: and shall be for / ever. / A/men. Children s Song (TiS 467 I am the Church) Communion Song (Taizé 19) Sing praises, all you peoples, sing praises to the Lord. Sing praises all you peoples, sing praises to the Lord. Remember in your prayers Patrick, Claire & Chris, Tara and wider family on the death of Carole Russell; Asher & Eric; Jacqueline & Shimon; Fay Dempsey; Doug Stewart; Anthony Marmo; Joan Shannon; Alice Furze, Eleanor Hayden, Kurt Young; Jean Hill; Ian & Pat Price; Gabrielle Hobbs; Betty Allan; Les and Edna Green; Peter Mylecharane; Alan Cook; Yvonne Scott; Tony Platford; Madge & John Conlon. Prayer for a Rector Before the Blessing Bountiful God, grant to St Mark's a faithful pastor and teacher who will speak your word and minister your sacraments; an encourager who will empower your people for ministry and enable us to fulfil your calling. Give to those who will choose a rector, your heavenly wisdom, discernment and patience, and to all of us give warm and generous hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Acting Rector The Revd Barry Dudding will commence as acting Rector next Sunday. Congratulations Congratulations and best wishes to Robert Nelson who will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow. Prayers and devotions this week Anglican Board of Mission Let us pray that all who call themselves Christians will strive to put on the virtues that will make them become effective witnesses of the faith. Give thanks for the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, who steps down from this role tomorrow. The Anglican Communion PRAY for The Most Revd Bolly Lapok Archbishop of South East Asia & Bishop of Kuching Assistant Bishop of Kuching - (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Aeries Sumping 3 Please also use in private devotions to pray for the search for a new rector, and for parish nominators Alan Little, John Kennedy, Barbara Booth, Doug Golding, Bruce Cooke.

4 Scripture readings Mon Ps John Tues Ps 113 Colossians Wed Pss 5; 6 John Thur Ps 9 John Fri Pss 11; 12 John Sat Pss 15; 16 John Prayer of the week Almighty God, you have shed upon us the light of your incarnate Word: may this light, kindled in our hearts, shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Thanksgiving for the life and faith of holy people (Today) Josephine Butler, social reformer (d.1905) Josephine was schooled at home, where she read English and Italian literature, and translations of the Church Fathers. When 24 years old, she married George Butler, a tutor at Oxford University. She was an early advocate of greater access to university education for women, and later focused her energies on the plight of prostitutes and other women on the fringes of society, often housing them in her own home. In 1886 her husband (who had fully supported her work) fell seriously ill, and she retired from public life to care for him. (Monday) John Wyclif, teacher & reformer (d.1384) John Wyclif was educated at Oxford, becoming a doctor of divinity in A scholar and priest, Wyclif opposed many corrupt features of mediaeval church doctrine and practice. He also advocated the idea that all Christians should be free to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. In 1382, all of his writings were banned by the Church leadership, and after his death, his opponents succeeded in having him condemned for heresy. Wyclif is chiefly remembered and honoured for his role in Bible translating. In the early 1380's he led the movement for a translation of the Bible into English. He also helped create a new religious order of Poor Preachers who preached to the people from the English Bible, later known as the Lollards. (Wednesday) Basil of Caesarea (d.379) and Gregory of Nazianzus (d.389), bishops & teachers Gregory of Nazianzus, his friend Basil the Great, and Basil s brother Gregory of Nyssa, are jointly known as the Cappadocian Fathers (Cappadocia is a region in what is now Turkey). In 325 Emperor Constantine, having converted to Christianity, summoned a council of Bishops at Nicea to settle the dispute between those (led by Athanasius) who taught that the Logos (the Word of John 1:1, who was made flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth) is fully God, and those (led by Arius) who taught that the Logos is a supreme being created by God. The bishops at Nicea declared that the view of Athanasius was the true Faith they had received from the Apostles. (The Athanasian view is held today by the vast majority of Christian churches. The Arian view is held by the Jehovah s Witnesses.) The Arians, however, continued to control parts of the Church, and it was uncertain whether the Church would stand by the declaration made at Nicea. Gregory and Basil worked hard in teaching and giving leadership to those who supported the Nicene faith. In 381, due in large measure to the Cappadocians, the Council of Constantinople confirmed the position of the earlier Council of Nicea. 4

5 News & Events Thank You to David Warner for his leadership as acting rector for many months during We have appreciated his pastoral support, commitment to the liturgy and unfailing good humour he is welcome at St Marks at any time.. Roster for Readers and Intercessors... available in the narthex and also on the members page of the website: Induction of The Reverend Dr Daniel Dries as the eleventh Rector of Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney by the Rt Rev. Robert Forsyth pm Monday 21 January 2013, Christ Church St Laurence, Parish Council feedback A new toddler music / playgroup time to commence in 2013 Grace Kennedy. The Advent all-age Saturday gatherings were noted as an enriching alternative worship experience thanks to John and Grace Kennedy. Parish Planning Day will be held in January Parish financial position is not as robust as planned unexpected expenses, and lower offertories. Current property needs are focussed on Rectory painting and re-carpeting, for which fund-raising activities are planned. This week at St Mark s Mon 31/ pm Bible Study in recess until Children s Christmas Service Tue 1/1 7.30pm Choir in recess until 5 February Wed 2/1 9.30am Holy Communion & Carinya Day Club in recess until February Thu 3/1 9.30am Needle & Thread (Dorothy Harpley ) 9.30am St Marks Art (Lorraine & Marlene ) 5.00pm Christian Meditation (Bridget McKern ) Fri 4/1 9.00am Tai Chi resumes 1/2/2013 (Gabrielle Merten ) Next Sunday 6 January 2013 The Epiphany of our Lord 8.00am 10.00am Readings Isaiah Lorraine Sweeny Jill Brown Psalm , Anglican Chant Ephesians Bridget McKern Matthew Presider Lay Assistant Intercessions Barbara Ferguson Notices for Connections are invited. Please the parish office before Thursday evenings Acting Rector The Revd David Warner warn1dav@optusnet.com.au Associate Priest The Revd Andre Jacobs assistant@southhurstville.anglican.asn.au Parish Office office@southhurstville.anglican.asn.au Website Wardens Bruce Cooke , Alan Little , Andre Jacobs Music Director and Organist Lois Little Choir Director Deb Mulcair